CJ Stroud’s 2021 Rose Bowl vs. Utah
Overall a really clean game from Stroud, as he was carving up the Utah defense throughout the game. While he benefitted from a ton of yards after the catch, this game was an absolute surgical performance by Stroud.
His typical flaws – throwing off his backfoot, locking onto his first read; were still there, but all of the traits people love about Stroud: his arm strength, deep ball touch and accuracy, compact throwing motion, and the pace in which he operates the offense, were on full display this game.
Stroud should not be discredited for having an offensive line that did a good job all game protecting him, as it allowed us to see what Stroud can do when given time to operate.
NFL franchises watch this game and get to dream about what could be for the coming years for them.
Pros: beautiful deep ball accuracy and touch, quick decision making good pocket awareness and timing on passes, incredible touch on his deep passes, solid mechanics from his feet on up throughout the game, went through progressions well
Cons: starred down his first read and stayed locked onto them, failed to protect himself from hits, still some unnecessary throws off his backfoot,